Post Processing

I am learning how to use this site called PicMonkey.com to do post processing on some of my pictures.  Like cropping, sharpening, changing the color saturation, adding a copyright symbol, adding text, etc.  Here are some of my samples from today.

 

 

Copenhagen Train Station.  Sharpened, cropped, copyright added, and "cooled" with PicMonkey.

 

 

Copenhagen Train Station.  Sharpened, cropped, copyrighted, and "warmed".

 

 

Hong Kong Harbor.  Horizon Line straightened and copyrighted.

 

 

Holden Sunset.  Quote added and copyrighted.

 

 

Buttes.  Cropped, sharpened, copyrighted, and "cooled".

 

 

 

Buttes.  Cropped, sharpened, copyrighted, and "warmed".

 

 

 

Depth of Field and Bokeh

Today's class is on Depth of Field and Bokeh.

 

Depth of Field can either be shallow (where there is one focal point up close and the rest of the photo blends into the background), or deep where the foreground and background are equally in focus.

 

Bokeh is the Japanese word for "blur" or "haze".  So this is where you intentionally blur a portion of your photo.

 

Here are some examples that I submitted today.

 

 

Depth of Field - Copenhagen.  The purple flowers are intended to be the focal point.  I could probably do some post processing on the background to blur it a bit more as well.

 

 

In this butterfly picture I manually added the Bokeh effect by using a free application called PicMonkey.com.  See the blurry circles of light in the background?  That is the bokeh effect.

 

 

This one I have posted before.   It is an example of Depth of Field from one of the first photography classes I took.

 

 

Another Depth of Field example.  But not as good, as there aren't any interesting things in the background.

 

 

Golden Hour Shots

I am taking another photography class for the next 2 weeks, and today we discussed the "Golden Hour" of light.  This is the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset.  We were asked to post some pictures in our digital classroom of photos we had taken during this timeframe.  I thought I would share mine here as well.  Since I think they are kinda pretty.

 

 

Southern Utah Sunset

 

 

Huntington Beach Sunset

 

 

Hong Kong Sunset (from the deck of a Junk)

 

 

San Francisco Sunset

 

 

Yuba City Sunset (from Auntie Vern's house)

 

 

 

Hong Kong - Aug 16

 

Hi Everyone,

 

I made it to Hong Kong.  I took the above picture with my phone as we were landing, it isn't the greatest since the wing is in the way and it's blurry.  But you can see that Hong Kong looks very fun lit up at night.

 

Some quick observations...

 

They shouldn't serve things like broccoli, or cabbage, or beans on planes.  Enough said.

 

They take their avian flu concerns very seriously here.  If you even looked or sounded ill, you were quickly shepherded towards one of many temperature check stations.  I did my best to look very healthy as I didn't want to get stuck in quarantine.

 

The customs officers are quite pleasant, but super picky.  They wanted to know why there was crisscross marking on my passport.  You know like the kind of indentation you might get if you had written on a paper on top of your passport?  They let me in anyway, but let this be a lesson to you...don't write on top of your passport.

 

The 50 dollar pair of compression socks I bought seem to have helped a bit with my swollen ankle problem I get when I fly.  So I guess that was a good purchase.

 

It is humid here people.  Like really humid. 

 

Also, I left my brand new Ralph Lauren black sweatshirt on the cab, and it wasn't cheap, and I doubt I will ever see it again.  So that was sad.

 

My hotel is fantastic.  But my hair tools do not fit into the Hong Kong adapters.  You know how our plugs sometimes have one prong that is slightly wider?  Well, the Hong Kong adapters don't like that slightly wider prong.  Believe me I spent some time trying to force it in.   Whatever.  So...I couldn't do my hair today.   Which is ok, since I am sure I will be dripping wet as soon as I step foot outside, but still, one always likes to approach their day at their very best.  This doesn't seem to be a problem with the mainland China adapters, so I will attempt to do my hair for work for the next 2 weeks.  We shall see how long that lasts.

 

The breakfast buffet was really great.  Asians sure do like their buffets.   There was American style food, Japanese style food, and Chinese style food.  I stuck with American mostly.  But I did try a few Chinese dishes.  Some dim sums, since Hong Kong is supposedly famous for Dim Sum.   And Congee....see below.  It is very like grits, which I love.  From Wikipedia - Congee or conjee is a type of rice porridge or gruel popular in many Asian countries.  Mine had kidney beans in it today, another plus as I love kidney beans.

 

 

Diet Coke is gross here.  It's the sweetener they use.  I have found this in Eastern Europe as well.

 

That is all for now.  I have a driver picking me up in an hour to take me to mainland China. 

 

 

 

Gratitude Month - Art

 

When I was in Denmark, I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to Frederiksborg Palace where the Carl Bloch paintings of Christ are housed in this little wood paneled prayer room in the corner of the most beautiful chapel.

I have seen these pictures many, many times in reproduction.   But to see them in real life was a treat.   One can appreciate the beauty of a famous painting from a book or a still image on the internet, but it isn't until you see them in person that they truly come alive.  For instance, I had never really liked Van Gogh before, of course they make you study him at University if you minor in Humanities like I did, but I always felt like I was more of a Dutch Masters kind of person.   Then I saw Starry Night in person on a trip to New York City and the way I looked at art was forever changed.  The paint is thick and the brush strokes are bold yet peaceful at the same time, and when you look at it in person you can feel the emotion that must have been present while it was being painted.  It was awe inspiring for me.   

The pictures of Christ's life by Bloch were no different.   I think my favorite is the first one shown below (it was very hard to get a good picture in the small room where these paintings reside, so sorry about that), that of Christ's birth.   I love how everything surrounding the central figure of the painting is dark and fades in to a kind of aura around Mary and baby Jesus.   It looks comforting and inviting to me.  Like coming in from a cold winters day to a room warm with firelight and coziness.

 

From Wikipedia

 

Carl Heinrich Bloch (May 23, 1834 – February 22, 1890) was a Danish painter.

He was born in Copenhagen and studied with Wilhelm Marstrand at the Royal Danish Academy of Art (Det Kongelige Danske Kunstakademi) there.

 

He [was then] commissioned to produce 23 paintings for the Chapel at Frederiksborg Palace. These were all scenes from the life of Christ which have become very popular as illustrations. The originals, painted between 1865 and 1879, are still at Frederiksborg Palace.  



 

 

 

And just for fun, here are some more pictures from the chapel in general.

 

 

Gratitude Month - Pinterest

Today I am grateful for Pinterest.

 

Let me tell you why.

 

It has widened my horizons.

 

I have tried probably 50 new recipes since joining Pinterest.

 

I have the world's cleanest looking caulk in my bathroom.

 

My mattress is all fresh and supposedly dust mite and bed bug free.

 

I learned how to make a few crafts.

 

I get inspirations on how to build different outfits.

 

I found ideas on gifts to get for people.

 

I have been inspired by quotes.

 

And awestruck by beautiful pictures of far off destinations.

 

The possibilities seem to be endless.

 

Here is proof of my Pinterest love.

 

I made no-knead bread in my Le Creuset yesterday.

 

And it is seriously sooooo tasty.   The crust is amazing.   Just as good as any artisan bread you would pay 4 or 5 dollars for at your local bakery.

 

In the interest of full disclosure though, I should have let it bake a little longer so it was a little more golden, but I couldn't wait.

 

Also, my store was out of yeast (weird, right?), so I had to buy what they had and it was yeast specifically for Pizza Crust.  In fact it said on the side, "not advised for bread making".  But I was tired and didn't want to drive to another store, so I bought it anyway.   It seemed to work just fine.  But I will probably try the recipe again with normal yeast at some point, just to see if there is a difference.

 

Simply So Good:  Crusty Bread

 

 

 

I also made this....

 

Crockpot Swiss Chicken Casserole

 

...but I used medium and sharp cheddar sheese instead, because I don't like swiss cheese. 

 

 

And before you mention that I lived in Switzerland for a year and half and so that it is weird that I don't like swiss cheese, let me just tell you american swiss cheese is nothing like what they sell in Switzerland.

Gratitude Month - Experiences



Today I am grateful for the opportunity I had to visit the National Cathedral of Denmark in Copenhagen (The Church of Our Lady), and to see the most beautifully carved marble statues of Christ and his Twelve Apostles.

 

The statues were carved in the early 1800's by (Karl Albert) Bertel Thorvaldsen, a Danish sculptor.  And the Christus in particular, is considered to be the "most perfect statue of Christ in the world".

 

I have seen Thorvaldsen's work before.   The Lion Monument in Luzern, Switzerland is one my favorite places in all of Switzerland.   And there is a replica Christus in Salt Lake City at the Salt Lake Temple Visitor's Center.   But nothing prepared me for seeing the original Christus in person.   I can barely describe it in words to be honest.   It was breathtaking.   Maybe it was the gold leafing behind the statue, maybe it was something more divine, but it really came alive....and I could not take my eyes off of it.

 

The statues of the Twelve Apostles are also wonderful.   I really, really love how Thorvaldsen did something to capture the personality of each Apostle.  I think Thomas is my favorite.

 

Here are the pictures from my trip, I hope you enjoy them, but if you ever get the chance I hope you go to see them in person.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumnal Equinox

Happy Autumnal Equinox Everyone!

 

"The Autumnal Equinox - The word equinox comes from the Latin words for "equal night." The fall and spring equinoxes are the only days of the year in which the Sun crosses the celestial equator." (from The Old Farmer's Almanac)

I love all the seasons, but I really love fall.   I bought my first Honey Crisp apple yesterday, a sure sign of fall.   The trees are changing colors everywhere, including my patio, and I can start to feel a little crisp edge to the weather.   I love the idea of celebrating and giving thanks for a summer full of activities and bountiful harvests.   I love the anticipation of winter.   The excitement of guessing when the first snow will fall.   The comfort of knowing that one has a warm house to snuggle in to, to hibernate with your hot chocolate and cozy blankets while outside the world is muffled in white.

Plus I like my winter clothes better than my summer clothes.  

Remember my 'Summer Bucket List' and how I would report back on the Autumnal Equinox with a review of what had been successfully achieved and what had not?

Well today's the day of reckoning...

 

 

 

Go somewhere I have never been - done

 

Denmark and Sweden

17th-century Frederiksborg Castle - Denmark

Do something brave - done (kinda)

 

Can I count going to a new country by myself?  I wouldn't let myself count it, since doing that doesn't really scare me, so no bravery required.   But I don't have anything else.

 

Do something outside every day - done

I did go outside every day.   I know this may sound ridiculous, but when you work from home it is surprisingly easy to stay inside all day long.

Plant flowers - done

 

I planted red geraniums and one massive Bleeding Heart plant (thanks Mom).

 

Here are some flowers I saw on my trip, aren't they pretty?

 

Saturday Market in Apeldoorn

Take a road trip - done

 

 

 

Eat Popsicles - done

Keep heels smooth and lovely - done

Drink a lot of water - done

Hike a new trail - done

 

 

Donner nature trail.

 

 

 

And Donut Falls in Utah, but I haven't downloaded my pictures yet. You will just have to take my word for it. :)

 

Volunteer some time - fail

 

I did a few things for church, but nothing like I intended.  Frowny face for me.

Spend more time at Red Butte Garden - fail

 

I went once, and that was just to a concert.

 

Go to a concert - done

 

The Shins as Red Butte Garden

 

Keane at the Gallivan Center

Big Band Concert at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen

 

See a play or musical - done

 

9 to 5:  The Musical

 

Wicked

Go to a sporting event - done

 

Real Salt Lake Soccer

Spend more time with friends - done

 

Go on a picnic - done

 

Swim - fail

No excuse either, since there is a pool just a building away from me.

Make a craft - fail

 

I bought the materials to make a wreath and never made it.

Save money for trips - done

 

California - June

 

Denmark and Sweden - August

 

Disneyland - October

Start Christmas shopping - done

 

About 1/2 done

Register to be an organ donor - done

 

Organ donor AND Bone Marrow donor lists

Do something educational - done

 

Traveling to different countries and touring historical buildings and museums seems to fulfill this task in my opinion.  But I also read quite a few classic pieces of literature (loving Thomas Hardy these days), watched several documentaries, attended a few guest lectures.

 

Kronborg Castle, the setting of Hamlet and a UNESCO World Heritage Site

 

Try a new restaurant - done

 

Several in Europe

 

and a few in SLC- most recently Vivace, where the food is divine.

Go to the Scottish Festival…eat some Haggis - done and fail

 

Went to the festival, they were out of Haggis.

 

 

 

Organize closets - done

 

My biggest job was organizing my pantry.   It still looks great.   The other closets probably need to be organized again.

Try a few new recipes - done

 

If you look at my Pinterest 'Food' board you will see most of the new recipes I have tried.   I think I have tried about 85 % of the recipes I have pinned.

Go to the Farmers Market more often - fail done

 

I went a total of zero times.  Wait...I am changing my answer.  I went to the outdoor market in Apeldoorn (Netherlands) twice, to the market in Copenhagen (Denmark) once, and to the market in Malmo (Sweden) once.

4 times...not bad.  

Watch a lot of the Olympics (but don't stay up all night obsessively checking every channel for coverage like I did last time) - done

 

I watched as much as I could.   I was in Europe during the entire time of the games, so I could only watch at night and then for only an hour tops.

Be a little more spontaneous...but not too much - done ?